Prednisolone 2.5mg Gastro-resistant Tablets

Prednisolone Leaflet – Headlines

• Prednisolone is a steroid medicine, prescribed for many different conditions, including serious illnesses.
• You need to take it regularly to get the maximum benefit.
• Don’t stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor – you may need to reduce the dose gradually.
• Prednisolone can cause side effects in some people (read Section 4 Possible Side Effects below). Some problems such as mood changes (feeling depressed, or ‘high’), or stomach problems can happen straight away. If you feel unwell in any way, keep taking your tablets, but see your doctor straight away.
• Some side effects only happen after weeks or months. These include weakness of arms and legs, developing a rounder face (read Section 4 Possible Side Effects for more information)
• If you take it for more than 3 weeks, you will get a blue ‘steroid card’: always keep it with you and show it to any doctor or nurse treating you.
• Keep away from people who have chicken-pox or shingles, if you have never had them. They could affect you severely. If you do come into contact with chicken-pox or shingles, see your doctor straight away.

Now read the rest of this leaflet. It includes other important information on the safe and effective use of this medicine that might be especially important for you.

This leaflet was last revised in August 2017.

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet:

1. What Prednisolone is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Prednisolone
3. How to take Prednisolone
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Prednisolone
6. Contents of the pack and other information

Check with your doctor first

• If you have ever had severe depression or manic-depression (bipolar disorder). This includes having had depression before while taking steroid medicines like prednisolone
• If any of your close family has had these illnesses.

If either of these applies to you, talk to a doctor before taking prednisolone.

Do not take Prednisolone if you:

• are allergic to prednisolone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• are suffering from a serious infection which is not being treated
• are suffering from a herpes infection of the eye
• are suffering from galactose or lactose intolerance or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Warnings and precautions

Before you take prednisolone tell your doctor if you:

• suffer from or have ever been treated for tuberculosis (TB)
• have high blood pressure
• have a heart condition
• have liver or kidney problems
• suffer from diabetes or diabetes runs in your family
• have osteoporosis (thinning of the bone), particularly if you are past the menopause (the change of life).
• are going through, or are past the menopause
• suffer from epilepsy (fits)
• suffer from stomach ulcers
• have taken prednisolone (or other steroids) before and had muscular problems (steroid myopathy)
• are receiving treatment for a condition called myasthenia gravis (a rare muscle weakness disorder)
• have ever had blood clots, (for example, deep vein thrombosis [DVT], or, thromboembolism)
• are planning to have a vaccination.
• have Cushing’s disease. (A hormone disorder which can cause symptoms including gaining weight very quickly, especially on the trunk and face, thinning of the skin and sweating).
• suffer from hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland which can cause tiredness or weight gain)
• have Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy
• have inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease
• have an eye disease caused by fluid build-up at the back of the eye that causes visual impairment
• are undergoing immunosuppression therapy for example in the treatment of cancer.
• have scleroderma (also known as systemic sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder) because daily doses of 15mg or more may increase the risk of a serious complication called scleroderma renal crisis. Signs of scleroderma renal crisis include increased blood pressure and decreased urine production. The doctor may advise that you have your blood pressure and urine regularly checked.

Children and adolescents

The use of steroids can slow down normal growth of children and adolescents. Your doctor may need to stop treatment or adjust the dose for your child accordingly.

If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take prednisolone.

Other medicines and Prednisolone

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any of the following medicines as they may affect, or be affected by prednisolone:

• antivirals such as ritonavir which can be used to treat HIV infection
• antifungals such as ketoconazole and amphotericin which are used to treat fungal infections
• antibiotics such as erythromycin and rifamycin which are used to treat bacterial infections
• antiepileptic drugs such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and primidone which are used to treat epilepsy
• oestrogens, for example in the contraceptive pill or HRT
• thiazide diuretics (“water tablets”) for example bendroflumethiazide used for water retention or high blood pressure
• medicines to treat high blood pressure
• anticoagulants for example warfarin which is used to thin the blood
• carbenoxolone which is used for ulcers
• salbutamol, formoterol, bambuterol, fenoteral, ritodrine, salmeterol and terbutaline used to treat asthma
• antimuscarinics/ anticholinergics
• immunosuppressants which dampen down the activity of the body’s immune system
• antacids such as magnesium trisilicate or aluminium hydroxide, used to treat the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion
• drugs for diabetes including insulin
• ciclosporin which is used to treat rheumatic disease, skin complaints or after a transplant
• cardiac glycosides for example digoxin which is used to help strengthen a weak heart
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for example aspirin, ibuprofen and indometacin used for pain relief or to treat rheumatic disease.
• mifepristone, used to induce labour or abortion.
• cytotoxic drugs for example methotrexate which is used to treat cancer
• vaccinations: You must tell your doctor or nurse that you are taking a steroid before you are given any vaccinations. Steroids affect your immune response and you must not be given any live vaccines.
• somatropin which is a growth hormone
• acetazolamide which is used in the treatment of glaucoma and epilepsy
• loop diuretics for example furosemide which is used to treat heart failure
• theophylline which is used for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• antithyroids such as carbimazole.
• isoniazid which is used to treat tuberculosis.

Prednisolone with food and drink

Prednisolone should be swallowed with water. You can take prednisolone before or after a meal.

Avoid eating liquorice whilst taking Prednisolone.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you must tell your doctor before you start the treatment.

If you are breast-feeding you must tell your doctor before you start the treatment. Your doctor will want to examine your baby during your time of treatment. Small amounts of steroids are present in breast milk.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines

If you feel dizzy or tired after taking prednisolone do not drive or operate machinery until these effects have worn off.

Prednisolone contains lactose

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

Whilst you are taking Prednisolone, if any of the following occur tell your doctor straight away:

• Infections: If you think you might have an infection. You are more likely to develop illnesses due to infection whilst you are taking prednisolone. Also any existing infections may become worse. This is especially so during periods of stress. Certain infections can be serious if not controlled.
• Chicken-pox and Shingles: If you, anyone in your family or regular contacts catches chicken-pox or shingles. This is because you may become very ill if you get chicken-pox whilst taking prednisolone. You should avoid contact with people who have chicken-pox or shingles whilst taking prednisolone and for up to 3 months after you have stopped taking prednisolone. Do not stop taking prednisolone.
• Measles: If you, anyone in your family or regular contacts catches measles. You should avoid contact with people who have measles.

Your doctor will give you a steroid treatment card. You must carry it with you at all times. You should show your steroid treatment card to anyone who is giving you treatment such as a doctor, nurse or dentist.

Mental problems while taking Prednisolone

Mental health problems can happen while taking steroids like prednisolone (see also Section 4 Possible side effects).

• These illnesses can be serious.
• Usually they start within a few days or weeks of starting the medicine.
• They are more likely to happen at high doses.
• Most of these problems go away if the dose is lowered or the medicine is stopped. However, if problems do happen they might need treatment.

Talk to a doctor if you (or someone taking this medicine), show any signs of mental problems. This is particularly important if you are depressed, or might be thinking about suicide. In a few cases, mental problems have happened when doses are being lowered or stopped.

What to do if you take more Prednisolone than you should

If you accidentally take too many prednisolone tablets or someone else takes any of your medicine, you should tell your doctor at once or contact your nearest accident and emergency department. Show any left-over medicines or the empty packet to the doctor.

If you forget to take Prednisolone

Do not worry. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless it is almost time to take the next dose. Do not take a double dose. Then go on as before.

Serious effects: tell a doctor straight away

• inflammation of the pancreas (very severe abdominal pains)
• painful skin ulcers

Steroids including prednisolone can cause serious mental health problems. These are common in both adults and children. They can affect about 5 in every 100 people taking medicines like prednisolone.

• Feeling depressed, including thinking about suicide.
• Feeling high (mania) or moods that go up and down.
• Feeling anxious, having problems sleeping, difficulty in thinking or being confused and losing your memory.
• Feeling, seeing or hearing things which do not exist. Having strange and frightening thoughts, changing how you act or having feelings of being alone.

If you notice any of these problems talk to a doctor straight away.

Other side effects you may experience:

• tiredness
• increased number of white blood cells
• blood clotting
• nausea and vomiting
• heart problems which can cause shortness of breath
• convulsions
• dizziness
• vertigo
• headache
• raised pressure in the brain (which can cause headaches, nausea and vomiting)
• sleeplessness
• thinning of the skin
• bruising
• stretch marks
• patches of skin reddening
• itching
• rash
• hives
• acne
• extra hair growth
• slow healing of wounds
• increased sweating
• hiding or altering reactions to skin tests such as for tuberculosis
• reduction of growth in babies, children and adolescents
• absence or irregularity of menstrual periods
• face becomes very round
• weight gain
• increased blood sugar
• carbohydrate imbalance in diabetes
• euphoria (feeling high)
• feeling of dependency on treatment
• depression
• general unwell feeling
• scleroderma renal crisis in patients already suffering from scleroderma (an autoimmune disorder). Signs of scleroderma renal crisis include increased blood pressure and decreased urine production.
• vision problems
• worsening of schizophrenia
• worsening of epilepsy
• risk of stroke is increased in Horton disease
• increased pressure in the eyeball (glaucoma)
• whitening or clouding of the lens (cataracts)
• pressure on the nerve to the eye, thinning of the tissues of the eye (sclera and cornea)
• bulging eyes
• worsening of viral or fungal infections of the eye
• risk of contracting infection is increased
• existing infections can worsen
• signs of infection can be masked
• previous infections, such as tuberculosis (TB) may be re-activated (flare up).
• muscle wasting of the upper arms and legs
• muscle pain
• brittle bone disease or wasting of the bones
• bone fractures
• tendon rupture
• indigestion
• stomach ulcers with bleeding or perforation
• bloating
• ulcers in the gullet (oesophagus) which may cause discomfort on swallowing
• candidiasis (thrush)
• abdominal (stomach) pain
• increased appetite which may result in weight gain
• diarrhoea
• water and salt retention
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• a change in the levels of some hormones, mineral balance or protein in blood tests
• increased cholesterol or fat levels in blood.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the internet at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

What Prednisolone contains

The active ingredient in this medicine is prednisolone.

The other ingredients are: calcium carbonate, lactose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide (E171), purified talc, lecithin, xanthan gum (E415), polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylene glycol sorbitan tristearate, silica gel, polyethylene glycol stearate, benzoic acid (E210), sulfuric acid, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, polyethylene glycol, sodium hydrogen carbonate, triethyl citrate, purified stearic acid, sodium alginate (E401), colloidal silicon dioxide, methylcellulose (E461), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, beeswax (E901), carnauba wax (E903), polysorbate 20 (E432) and sorbic acid (E200).

The Prednisolone 5 mg tablet also contains carmine (E120) and indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132).

The Prednisolone 2.5 mg tablet contains iron oxide (E172).

What Prednisolone looks like and contents of the pack

Prednisolone tablets come in two strengths.

Prednisolone 2.5 mg is a brown tablet.

Prednisolone 5 mg is a maroon tablet.

They are gastro-resistant tablets.

Prednisolone tablets come in packs of 30 or 100 tablets.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

The product licence holder is:

Prednisolone is manufactured by:

The information in this leaflet applies only to prednisolone. If you have any questions or you are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or a pharmacist.